Episode #2: Outside

Apr,23 2026

<-Jacob on the first day of the new rules

As planned, I met Stacy at the fountain near the center of the courtyard. I had given about a quarter of my flyers already, which was worrying me.

The result was mixed, but I had stopped Stacy and mainly power-walked to reach her.

Stacy is a mystery to me, and I think, to herself.

She is possibly the nicest person on campus, but getting to know who is behind her green eyes is almost impossible.

My family likes to attend naturist events. It's why I joined the student nudist club when I joined the university.

One of the first things every member does is to explain why they are joining. I don't know why.

Maybe everyone wants to prove they aren't here for the wrong reasons?

Stacy, well, no one knows why she is with us. No one.

I know she went on a date with Lizzy, but she still didn't open up. The date did go nowhere, so perhaps Stacy would only open up when she gets a proper girlfriend? Or is she straight?

It's none of my business.

I salute her.

"You did it"

"I said I would"

She sighs. "So it's my turn?"

I look; she is wearing the same sundress she wears when she comes to our events. Lizzie did say that she likes her own sundress because it leaves no marks on her skin, and Stacy nodded, which is just about the most reaction we ever got from her.

"You don't have to"

"Jacob, we have only one class together, and it's this morning. We picked to be the pioneers this morning because of that. It's too late to change my mind"

I nod, but then, I speak up. "It's always time to change your mind"

She nods and gives me her flyers.

Gently, she pulls her sundress and folds it, putting it in her backpack.

"Do you have your towel?" I say, giving her back her pile of flyers.

"Of course", she says, smiling.

We walk toward our building and soon get stopped by two guys from the football team I know well, Greg and Duke.

Both are laughing.

"Dude, you are both nude," says Duke.

Stacy each gives them a flyer, while I answer. Greg reads.

"We are. Campus is now clothing optional"

"Yeah, I am all for chicks to be nude, but you?"

"We showed together often after practice"

Duke nods. "Oh yeah"

Greg comments. "So you guys are naturists?", he says.

"We are"

Greg nods. "Cool. My sister dated one."

"From around here?"

He shakes his head. "N'ah, Colorado. Didn't last. Not because of that. At least, I don't think so? She wasn't clear on why they broke up, man. Girls.", he says, rolling his eyes.

I know he often comments on how he thought that as a runner-back, he would be drowning in girls. Well, that's not the term he used, but I am staying polite.

"Are we cool, guys?" I say.

Both nod, and we go on our way.

Once alone, I ask Stacy. "And are you okay?"

She stops for a second. "Yeah, I am. I don't know why I am so worried"

We give a few more flyers to people on our way, including a guy who said he would pray for our souls.

I decide to use the arguments we prepared for religious push back.

"You do know that the only reason we wear clothes is the original sin? We were created in God's image, and as such, are perfect"

But the guy didn't want to listen. We can't win every discussion.

I did bump into Jennifer, which is what I was the most worried about.

Jenny, as she likes to be called, finds me quite funny, which I know is a sign she is attracted to me: I am not that funny to begin with. I know I am certainly attracted to her.

"Hey Jenny"

She sighs. "Of course you had to be one of them"

I chuckle. "Is that a problem?"

"I don't know. On one hand, this is a nice surprise to bump into you. I wanted to see if you would help me with something tonight"

"I probably can"

"But on the other hand, I don't know if I can see a guy who bares it all for everyone"

"Wait, so we might have something?" I say, smiling.

She blushes. "Maybe"

"Then let's talk tonight," I say.

"Fine, you know my room," she suddenly adds. "But let's not talk in there. We'll go out. The weather is so nice today"

I nod.

Stacy speaks up. "Always nice to see you, Jenny"

"Same Stacy, you look really good"

"Thanks. I love that dress"

"Gee, thanks" says Jennifer, smiling.

"Well, we have to get to class, but say hello to Felix for me"

"I did tell him I met you, and he said hello"

Stacy smiles and gives Jennifer a flyer.

I get a "See you tonight", and soon enough, Stacy and I are on our way.

"How do you know her?"

"Oh, we come from the same town. I dated her brother for a few weeks"

"Ah. You did date guys"

"I do believe it's none of your business?"

"Sorry, I just see you as a friend. I know it can be challenging to open up"

She turns to me.

"Do people think I don't open up?"

"You don't to us"

She laughs. "I know you see me as a friend, but Jacob, I have a high threshold to call someone a friend. I am not some mysterious girl; just get to know me, and I will be an open book"

"But, we've hung out for months"

She laughs again. "Yeah, in a group. I don't make friends from a group. Perhaps we can eat together? Especially now that I see that you might like to date Jennifer"

I look at her. "It's far from a done deal"

"Oh, I know her. You won't have to push much"

I smile. We get to class and sit near the back.

We all felt confident we could handle the students. If the vote had been closer, we might have been more hesitant, but seeing how strong the victory was, we felt confident.

The problem was the teachers...

We had no idea how they would feel, but it was crucial to test, and a sociology teacher was our best bet.

As it turned out, we were right, for Mrs. Langley asked Stacy and me to remain after class.

I was worried, but Stacy didn't mind. Her worry seemed to be students, while I was more scared of faculty...

Fortunately, Stacy did the talking.

"You wanted to speak with us, Mrs. Langley?"

"Yes! Next week, we have a project based on minority rights and integration starting. I will draw students randomly for their subject, but I wanted to know if perhaps you would like to be paired together to make your project on the vote last week? I mean, I could randomly assign you to other students too"

Stacy speaks up. "I would love too"

"Did you grow up...", asks the teacher.

"I did. Well, not all of my life. I moved to a naturist resort when I was 11 after my parents' divorce"

Wow, I knew more about Stacy than anyone else.

"Wow, with your father?"

"Yes. My mother was also a naturist, but she didn't want to move to a resort"

"I heard it can be suffocating", says Mrs. Langley.

"I mainly thought it was liberating, but I can see your point. Most of the guys I saw found it, well, suffocating is as good as any for a word"

"Perhaps you can talk about that?"

"Oh, hell no. But about the efforts to be accepted, I would love that"

I decide to speak up.

"I would love to. I didn't grow up at a naturist resort, but we went to a non-landed club and to a few resorts"

The teacher looked at me.

"Non-landed club? What is that?"

"It's a club that rents sports facilities for naturist events. Often in winter"

"I see. Here it's rarely below 50 in the winter"

Stacy fakes shaking. "No way in hell am I nude outdoors at 50"

I smile. "I love rolling in the snow nude, but then, to get to a hot tub"

Mrs. Langley just rolls her eyes. "That is some crazy thing. I think winters are too cold here dressed", she says laughing.

Stacy speaks up. "Thank you for being so cool about this"

"Hey, I try to teach students to accept differences. "

We leave the classroom.

The plan was for Stacy to get dressed and for both of us to go to our next classes, only to join with the rest for the first nude lunch on campus.

"So, you lived at a naturist resort?"

She looks at me.

"I did, but I would appreciate it if you didn't tell others. "

"Sure thing. You can get dressed now. I think we are mostly alone"

She thinks. "I think I won't. See you at lunch?"

I smile. She is more courageous than I thought.

Maybe she'll become a friend, for real this time, and perhaps I'll get a date tonight!

<-Jacob on the first day of the new rules